Means for dispensing separately stored substances



Oct. 14, 1969 s. 1. KAPLAN 3,472,423

MEANS FOR DISPENSING SEPARATELY STORED SUBSTANCES Filed Oct. 13, 1967 3Sheets-Sheet l flmra/e 754 /j 1 /i E ab 2/ 1 Z 6 #4 22d 5/ Z 33 V0 3/1234/ K 2% 2f 22 I Z! I ll 1 Z 1* I I flmea 54/4; 5965:; G596 f rit,yrrae/vzxx Oct. 14, 1969 s. 1. KAPLAN 3,472,423

MEANS FOR DISPENSING SEPARATELY STORED SUBSTANCES Filed 0ct. 13, 1967 3Sheets-Sheet mag. 55310- I Oct. 14, 1969 s. l. KAPLAN 3,472,423

MEANS FOR DISPENSING SEPARATELY STORED SUBSTANCES Filed Oct. 13, 1967 3Sheets-Sheet United States Patent 3,472,423 MEANS FOR DISPENSINGSEPARATELY STORED SUBSTANCES Stanley I. Kaplan, 108 Field Place, Bronx,N.Y. 10468 Filed Oct. 13, 1967, Ser. No. 675,084 Int. Cl. B67d 5/56 US.Cl. 222-129 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention broadlydiscloses a means for simultaneously dispensing two or more separatelystored substances either by admixing the substances or intertwining thesubstances in such a manner as to respectively provide a homogenousmixture or an intertwined arrangement.

The substances are stored in separate containers or compartments and mayeither be maintained pressurized or provided in collapsible compartmentssuch as of the type of the compressible toothpaste tube structure whichis manually collapsible for ejecting the paste or other substancecontained therein. The substance which is forced out of each individualcompartment either manually or under the control of a pressurized gas iscaused to pass through an associated tube which is bent or otherwiseformed at an angle to cause the entire nozzle to rotate as thesubstances are ejected. In the case where the substances are of the formof a paste or in a semi-solid state the substances ejected from thenozzle can be intertwined with one another to form a helicalshapedarrangement which has an interesting, decorative, and aestheticallyappealing appearance.

In the case where the substances are to be substantially homogeneouslyadmixed the interior tubes may be replaced by one or more exit openingsall of which enter into a common chamber wherein the substances arethoroughly admixed prior to exiting through the nozzle opening.

The instant invention relates to dispensing containers and moreparticularly to a compartmentalized dispensing container capable ofdispensing substances each independently stored within one of thecontainer compartments in such a manner as to homogeneously admix theindependently stored substances before final dispensing thereof oralternatively for intertwinning the substances to be dispensed toprovide a flow from the dispenser having an aesthetically appealingappearance. I

There exists a variety of applications wherein it is desriable to admixa plurality of substances either in a homogeneous fashion or in anintertwining fashion.

As an example of the former arrangement, it may be desired tosubstantially homogeneously admix two substances which are normallymixed only prior to their actual use. As an example of the lattersituation, it may be desired to intertwine twocomestible pastes orsemisolid substances such as whipped creams, frostings, icings, glazes,puddings, pie fillings, ice creams, custards, cheese dips, cheesespreads, hors doeuvres, peanut butter and jellies, cream cheese andjelly spreads in combination, aerosol cookie and cake batters and dough,pancake batters, shaving creams, and the like or two dentifrices whichsubstances are of contrasting colors and/or flavors so as to form aresulting aesthetically appealing intertwined flow.

Other possible uses of the instant invention include application ofepoxy glues, paints or various chemical reactants or vitamin additiveswhich have to be mixed with another additive only immediately prior todispensing.

The dispenser of the instant invention, in one preferred embodiment, iscomprised of a first and second storage container each of which isfilled with a paste-like substance, which substances may be ofcontrasting colors. The substances may be maintained under pressurewithin their separate containers or the containers may be collapsible soas to cause ejection of the substances cOntained therein brought aboutby a contraction or collapsing of the container walls. Anotheralternative could be the use of a plunger to cause ejection of thestored substances in the containers. Each storage container is pro videdwith an opening at one end thereof.

A pair of tubes is provided for communicating with the containeropenings for ejecting the substances contained therein. In the casewhere the substances are maintained in a pressurized state within theirrespective containers, suitable valves are provided for sealing thecontainer openings when the dispenser is not in use, and being movableto permit egress of the substances through the tubes.

Each of the tubes passes through and is supported in a disc-like memberwhich is rigidly supported within a nozzle housing which is rotatablerelative to the storage containers. The distal ends of the tube areseparated by a barrier which divides the upper interior portion of therotatable nozzle housing into two areas. Each interior area of thenozzle housing carries an angularly oriented baffle plate which islocated opposite the distal end of each respective interior tube suchthat the substances ejected from the tubes deflect off the bafileplates, thereby causing the entire nozzle to rotate to effectuate theintertwined or barberpole effect at the open end of the nozzle. If thesubstances are to be substantially homogeneously admixed, the barrierwhich divides the upper interior of the housing into the twoaforementioned areas may be re moved.

As a particularly advantageous feature of the instant invention, thestorage containers may be of a multiplicity of types and may, forexample, comprise a plurality of concentric storage containers, oralternatively, may be comprised of a single housing provided with apartition dividing the housing into at least two distinct storagecompartments. With a container of the last-mentioned type, comprising asingle compartment divided by an interior partition, a slotted discassembly seals the opening and is provided with cooperatingsemicircular-shaped openings communicating with the storage compartmentslocated on the opposite sides of the partition. As will be explained ingreater detail, the novel slotted disc assembly is useful for adaptingmany diiferent types of storage containers with various types of nozzlehousings constructed in accordance with the instant invention and isalso primarily useful for guaranteeing a continuous flow of substanceswhenever the nozzle of the instant invention is in operation.

In an alternative embodiment of the instant invention, the constructionis substantially the same as set out above. However, in this embodiment,the disc-like member which supports the interior tubes is rotatabletogether with the tubes, relative to the exterior nozzle housing.Furthermore, the interior tubes are bent or otherwise formed at theirdistal ends in opposite directions so as to generate additive thrustwhich cause the rotation of both the tube and the disc within the nozzlehousing. With the use of a barrier plate separating the tubes, theintertwined or barberpole etfect is possible at the output of thenozzle. Without the barrier, plural substances will be first mixedwithin the nozzle housing before being emitted.

It is therefore one objectof the instant invention to provide a uniquerotatable nozzle for intertwining a plurality of substances stored incompartmentalized sections of a dispenser.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a novel dispensingmechanism for admixing or intertwining a plurality of substancesprovided within compartmentalized sections of a storage dispenser andincluding rotatable disc means having interior tubes for each of thesubstances which are so arranged to cause rotation thereof as thesubstances are being ejected.

These and other objects of the instant invention will become apparentwhen reading the accompanying description and drawings in which:

FIGURE 10! is a perspective view showing a nozzle arrangement designedin accordance with the principles of the instant invention;

FIGURE 1b is an elevational view, partially sectionalized, showing astorage container which may be employed with the nozzle of FIGURE la;

FIGURE 10 is a top view of the valve actuating mechanism used in thecontainer of FIGURE 1b;

FIGURE 2a is a perspective view showing a rotatable nozzle of theinstant invention;

FIGURE 2b is a cross-sectional view showing a container which may beused with the nozzle assembly of FIGURE 2a;

FIGURE 20 is a take-apart view showing a disc assembly employed in thedispenser assembly comprised of the nozzle assembly of FIGURE 2a and thecontainer of FIGURE 2b;

FIGURES 3a-3d show different configurations for the nozzle opening;

FIGURES 4a-4d are top views of containers which may be used havingdifferent numbers of compartments;

FIGURE 42 is a modification of the disc of FIGURE 20 so as to be usedwith 'a container having three compartments;

FIGURE 5 shows a nozzle with a scalloped configuration;

FIGURE 6 shows a piston arrangement which may be used with the containerof FIGURE 1b;

FIGURE 7a shows the intertwining substances as they appear from thenozzle of FIGURE 2a;

FIGURE 7b shows intertwined substances similar to those shown in FIGURE7a but illustrates the type of intertwining eifect achieved when thesubstances are emitted slower from the nozzle of FIGURE 2a than theeffect illustrated in FIGURE 7a;

FIGURE 7c illustrates the nozzle of FIGURE 2a when such nozzle isprevented from rotating while substances are being emitted therefrom;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the instantinvention showing the nozzle, adapter and container; and

FIGURE 9 is a modification of the embodiment of FIGURE 8.

. Referring now to the drawings, FIGURE 1a shows a nozzle assembly 10which may be used for dispensing a plurality of substances and which iscomprised of a nozzle member 11, the lower portion of which, 11a, issubstantially cylindrical and the upper portion of which, 11b, issubstantially conical in shape. The hollow interior is provided with apair of annular projections 12 and 13 which receive a cylindrical shapeddisc 14 which is free I to rotate relative to the nozzle member 11. Theannular shaped projections 12 and 13 may be formed by depressing orotherwise bending the nozzle member 11 after positioning of the disc 14therein. The disc 14 is provided with a pair of openings each fittedwith a tubular member 15 and 16, respectively, which members communicatewith the stored substances to be mixed, in a manner to be more fullydescribed. Each of the interior tubular members 15 and 16 is curved orotherwise bent and is arranged to eject a substance against the interiorsurface of the nozzle 11 at which point it will be deflected and passedthrough the opening to be dispensed. As shown in FIGURE 1a, the tubularmembers 15 and 16 are bent in opposite directions relative to the centerline of the nozzle 11 such that additive thrusts are developed at theends of the tubes 15 and 16 when substances are being ejected; thereby,and as will be further explained, causing the disc '14 and the tubes 15and 16 to rotate within nozzle 11. The interior region defined by thedisc 14 of the nozzle 11 is compartmentalized by means, of a barrierplate 17 which maintains the substances separated from one another untilthe time at which they are emitted from opening 11c. In certainapplications the barrier plate 17 may be omitted to provide an operationto be more fully described.

The tube 15 is secured at its lower end to an appropriate openingprovidedin disc 14. The tube 16 passes through an associated opening indisc 14 and enters into the top opening provided in a closed topcylinder 18 which is secured to the inner wall of mixing nozzle 11 bymeans of the dish-shaped plate 19. It will be appreciated that ifdesired the entire tube 15 and the upper portion of tube 16 may beeliminated such that when viewed from the top, disc 14 would appear toinclude only two apertures. However, in this type of arrangement, theinterior walls of such apertures are angled in opposite directions toachieve the same additive thrust effect when substances are beingemitted as would be achieved with the structure shown in FIGURE la.

Returning to FIGURES la-lc, the dish-shaped plate 19, as shown best inFIGURES lb and 1c, is comprised of a central portion 19a which may, forexample, be the top of cylinder 18 and an outer rim 19b which is joinedwith the center disc 19a by means of the diagonally aligned struts 19carranged at spaced intervals between rim 1% and disc 19a. The disc 19ais provided with an opening 19d for receiving the lower end of tube 16.As best shown in FIGURE 1b, the lower end of the tubular member 16 isflared outwardly at 16a so as to be retained in the position shown inFIGURE lb but is not rigidly secured to the closed top cylinder 18 andin fact is free to rotate.

The nozzle assembly 10 is adaptable for use with a container 20, shownbest in FIGURE 1b, which is comprised of an inner substantiallycylindrical container 21 and a concentrically arranged outer container22. Each of the containers 21 and 22 contain substances which aremaintained under pressure therein for subsequent ejection by means ofthe nozzle assembly. The substances may, for example, be desserttoppings of contrasting colors and flavors, dentifrices, pastes, or anyother such substances capable of being dispensed by means of apressurized container typically referred to as an aerosol dispenser.

The outer container 22 is provided with an outwardly directed flange 22awhich cooperates with an inwardly directed flange 11d provided on thenozzle member 11. The two flanges 22a and 11d cooperate to limit thevertical motion of the nozzle assembly 11 relative tocontainer 20.

Since the substances within containers 21 and 22 are maintained in apressurized state, each of the containers is provided with valve meansfor sealing the containers when the dispenser is not in use. The innercontainer 21 has a narrow neck portion 21a which is fitted with a valvemember 23 having sloping walls to cooperate with the neck portion of theinner container for sealing the container opening. The valve means 23 isprovided with notches 23a and 23b for receiving and seating the loweredge of the closed top cylinder 18. The valve means 23 is maintained inposition by means of a helical spring 24 whose upper end bears againstthe under surface of valve member 23 and whose lower end is seatedagainst an annular shaped projection 25 surrounding a portion of theinner wall of container 21. The spring means normally urges the valvemember 23 upwardly to seal the opening therein. Valve member 23 may beopened by moving nozzle member 11 vertically downward as shown by arrow26. This movement is imparted through member 19 to cylinder 18 which isrigidly secured thereto driving it downwardly so as to cause the valvemember 23 to provide a passageway aroundthe neck portion of container 21and between its inner surface and the outer surface of valve member 23so as to pass upwardly into cylinder 18 and tube 16 to enter into itsassociated compartment.

The outer container 22 is likewise provided with a narrow neck portion22b which acts to seat a ring-shape valve member 27 having sloping innerand outer walls to fit the narrow neck portion 22b of container Hand tosealingly fit the widening neck portion 21b of inner container 21. Valvemember 27 is firmly seated in the sealed position by means of a helicalspring 28 whose upper portion bears against the under surface of annularshaped valve member 27 and whose lower end is seated and supported by aninwardly directed circular shaped projection 29 provided along the innerwall of outer container 22. As can clearly be seen the valve member 27,has an upper portion thereof extending above the upper edge 210 of innercontainer 211 The downward vertical movement of the nozzle assembly 11causes the cylindrical disc 19a to press downwardly upon the valvemember 27 to unseal the opening allowing the substance contained thereinto pass between the confronting surfaces of the valve member 27 and theinner wall of outer container 22 and the outer wall of inner container21. The substance will then pass through the openings 19c betweensupporting struts 190 of the supporting member 19 shown in FIG- URE 1c,and will enter through the opening in disc 14 to pass out through tube15.

It is, possible to actuate the valves in the embodiment of FIGURE 1bwithout the necessity of moving the entire nozzle assembly 11. This maybe done, for instance, by securing a lever arm to plate 19 and extendingit through a slot in nozzle 11 to permit the movement of plate 19 byoperation of the lever arm. In addition, it is possible to providenotches in the slot to permit selective displacement of the lever armand plate 19 to control the speed of the ejected fluids. It is notedthat the slot would require a back plate to prevent the fluids fromescaping through it.

In the case where the substances within containers 21 and 22 aremaintained under pressure, the ejection of these substances throughtubes 15 and 16 cause the disc 14 (and the tubes) to rotate. The barrierplate 17 has its lower end secured to disc 14 and will likewise rotatetherewith. The substances will thereby rotate as they leave opening 11cand become intertwined with one another. In the case where thesubstances are Whipped cream materials of contrasting colors they willexit in an intertwined fashion, as shown in FIGURE 7a, providing anaesthetically appealing helical pattern of contrasting colors andflavors which may be used as a dessert or cake topping, for example.FIGURE 71; illustrates the intertwining effect which would be achievedwith a slower speed of ejection of the substances. The slower speed canbe regulated by the extent to which the nozzlell is depressed or, asnoted previously, by means of variable length slots cooperating with alever arm attached to the dish 19.

The embodiment of FIGURES 1alc may be modified 'by forming the containerof a soft plastic or metallic material of the type normally employed forcontaining and dispensing pasty substances such as dental substances,food or dessert toppings, or any other similar substances. Theconventional toothpaste tube is one exemplary embodiment of such adispenser. The inner and outer containers 21 and 22, shown in FIGURE 1b,may be formed of such materials such as pliable plastic or metal withthe bottom portions of the containernormally co-linear to one anotherand bent over one upon the other to form a folding seal along theirlower edges. Dispensing of the substances contained therein is broughtabout by compressing the tube, usually at a point near the bottomthereof, causing the materials contained therein to be forced upwardlythrough the interior tubes 15 and 16 at a point where they are ejectedinto the chamber of the nozzle 11. In such arrangements the substancesneed not be maintained under pressure thereby eliminating the need forthe valve structures shown in FIGURE 1b and requiring only that theinterior tubes 15 and 16 be rotatably secured to suitable openingsprovided in each of the containers for receiving and ejecting thesubstances with which they are associated. Ejection of the substancesoccurs as was previously described wheerin the ejection, as a result ofthe orientation of interior tubes 15 and 16, causes rotation of the disc14 and tubes 15 and 16 causing the emitting substances to be intertwinedin a decorative helical pattern.

Using the same principle as in compressing the containers, thecontainers may be made with plungers or pistons at their lower endswhereby pushing the pistons up forces the contents of the containersthrough their respective interior tubes. A pair of pistons capable ofbeing used with the containers of FIGURE 1B is shown in FIGURE 6.

The pistons of FIGURE 6 include a pair of concentric plates 61 and 62which fit into the inner and outer chambers, respectively, of thecontainer of FIGURE 1b. The two plates are separated by a distance so asto permit the wall of the inner chamber to fit between the plates. Thepistons include rods 63, 64 and 65 connected to the plates 61 and 62 andconnected to another plate 66. By applying pressure to the plate 66, therods force plates 61 and 62 up into the chambers and the contents of thechambers are expelled. The container in FIGURE 6 is shown in phantom.

The nozzle of FIGURE la and the nozzle of FIGURE 20!, as will be shownbelow, may also be provided without the center barrier 17. By removingthe center barrier, the substances from each of the two containers willbe mixed homogeneously immediately before dispensing the mixture.

FIGURES 2a-2c show the preferred embodiment of the instant inventionwhich most advantageously presents the inventive concept involvedwherein a rotatable nozzle structure 10 of FIGURE 2a is substantiallysimilar to that shown in FIGURE 1a. Since there is a rather strikingsimilarity as between the design of the two nozzles, only thedistinctions of the nozzle of assembly of FIGURE 2a will be referred toherein. In this embodiment disc 14 is rigidly secured within nozzle 11while the entire nozzle assembly 10 (including the nozzle 11, disc 14and tubes 15 and 16) is free to rotate, in a manner to be furtherdescribed, relative to the container 22 as the substances are emittedtherefrom.

To achieve this rotation, two baflle plates and 86 are secured on theinterior of the nozzle 11 and angularly oriented relative to the ends oftubes 15 and 16 such that substances emitted therefrom will hit anddeflect the plates to cause the rotation of the entire nozzle assembly10, with the rotation of the nozzle creating the intertwined efiect ofFIGURE 7 at the outport 110.

It may be further appreciated that rather than using separate bafileplates such as 85 and 86 secured to the inside of the nozzle, it ispossible to preform the interior surfaces of the nozzle 11 withangularly oriented, concave runways which when struck by the fluidswould cause the nozzle to rotate.

The following is a description of the particular con tainer and valveassembly of FIGURE 2b which can be used with the novel rotating nozzleassembly 10 of FIG- URE 2a. However, it is to be understood that avariety of containers and valve assemblies, such as that illustrated inFIGURE lb and many more, may be used with the rotating nozzle of FIGURE2a.

The lower end of nozzle member 11 is provided with an outwardly andupwardly directed flange 11a which cooperates with a similar alignedflange 22a provided along the upper edge of container 22. The container22 is provided with either a rigid or a flexible partition dividing theinterior into two separate storage compartments 31 and 32, respectively.The narrow neck portion 22b of container 22 is provided with an inwardlydirected flange 33 for positioning and supporting a ring-shaped washer34. Positioned above the ring-shaped washer 34 is a valve member 35which is a substantially circular shaped disc having an arcuate shapedslot 36 and a semicircular shaped aperture 37. A substantially U-shapedprojection 38 is atfixed along the edge of disc 35 and projects througha semicircular slot 39 provided around container 22. A secondring-shaped washer 40, to be described in greater detail, is positionedabove disc member 35. The two ringshaped washer members permit the discmember 35 to be rotated about its center by manually gripping projection38. The sealing rings 34 and 40 prevent any egress of the pressurizedcontents of compartments 31 and 32 from being emitted in the slotprovided half-way around the container 22.

A second disc member 41 having an arcuate shaped slot 42 and asemicircular shaped aperture 43 is positioned upon ring-shaped washer 40and is secured to the interior Wall of the container 22 so as to remainin a stationary posltron.

A biasing spring 44 is secured to the exterior of container 22 at point45 and its opposite end is secured to projection 38 so as to bias discmember 35 in the clockwise direction relative to the representationshown in FIGURE 2c. Further clockwise movement of projection 38 islimited by the first end of the narrow opening 39 provided in container22. As can clearly be seen in the exploded view shown in FIGURE 2c, withthe discs 35 and 41 in the positions as shown, the arcuate shaped slot42 is sealed by the solid portion of disc 35. In a like manner, thesemicircular opening 43 is sealed by the remaining solid portion of disc35. By gripping projection 38 and rotating it counterclockwise to thedotted line position 38, arcuate shaped slots 36 and 42 and semicircularshaped apertures 37 and 43 are moved substantially in alignment with oneanother to permit the passage of the pressurized substancestherethrough. Obviously, release of the projection 38 places the disc 37under control of the charged spring 44 causing it to return projection38 to the solid line position so as to again seal the contents incompartments 31and 32.

The nozzle member 11, which is shown in FIGURE 2b, is rotatably joinedto container 22 by means of a ringshaped fitting 22b which, whilepreventing linear movement of the container 22 relative to the nozzle11, permits relative rotational movement therebetween. When the valvedisc 35 is rotated in the manner previously described to release thepressurized contents, the substances will be emitted from compartment 31through aligned openings 3743 and will be emitted from compartment 32through the aligned openings 36, 42. The substances will then passthrough a final disc 47 having openings 48 and 49 of configurationssubstantially similar to the openings 4347 and 4246, respectively. Disc47, which is rigidly secured to the interior wall of nozzle member 11,has rigidly mounted thereon a small cylinder 18 which completelysurrounds opening 49 in disc 47 serving as a barrier between substancespassing through arcuate shaped slot 48 and through semicircular shapedaperture 49. Tube 16 is free to rotate relative to cylinder 18 (in themanner previously described with respect to FIGURE 1b) and is positionedso as to emit substances passing through cylinder 18 into the chamberdefined by the inner surface of the conical portion of nozzle 11 whiletube 15 ejects the substance passing through arcuate shaped opening 48and around cylinder 18. The substances then strike the angled baiileplates and 86 such as to cause rotation of the entire nozzle assembly 10of FIGURE 2a as the substances are emitted causing the intertwiningefiect of FIGURE 7a.

The disc 47 serves to assure the fact that the substances will remainseparate from one another until their final ejection from the upperopening 110. As will be apparent, the degree to which the disc 35 isrotated will determine the amount of and speed of flow of the emittedsubstances. Consequently different patterns, like the one of FIGURE 7!),can be achieved.

The resultant product emitted from the dispenser will be substantiallysimilar to that described with reference to FIGURES lalc in that thesubstances will be intertwined when the barrier wall 17 is used.Alternatively, the substances will be admixed in the interior region ofthe nozzle member 11 if the barrier member 17 is omitted.

The dispenser of FIGURES 2a and 2b can be further provided with a latchconsisting of catch 91, tab 91a, and latch arm 91b. The latch arm 91b ispivotally connected to the tab 91a by suitable means and can be insertedin catch 91 to prevent the rotation of nozzle 11. By stopping therotation of the nozzle 11, the resulting product will be striped ratherthan intertwined; see FIGURE 70.

While the nozzle of FIGURES 1a and 2a has been described as havinginitial means for causing its rotation, it is possible to eliminate theinternal means and provide an external rotating means in its place forlarge commercial applications, such as in a bakery or a custard vat.This external means may be an electric motor as shown in phantom inFIGURE 2a. This motor may be controlled by projection 38 of the valvemechanism which may acmate a switch for the motor.

If the intertwined materials are to be dispensed in unequal amounts toprovide varying effects, it is possible to shape and position thebarrier plate 17 in a variety of ditferent ways, some of which are shownin FIGURES 3a- 3d. Shown in FIGURE 3a, the barrier plate divides theopening 11c into equal halves allowing substantially equal flows to beemitted therefrom. If it is desired to regulate the flows somewhat or tomodify their configurations, the barrier plate 17 may be bent in aV-shaped manner as shown in FIGURE 311. As shown in FIGURE 30, thebarrier plate 17 may be bent more severely in the V- shaped manner toyield a still more disproportionate ratio between the emittedsubstances. As shown in FIGURE 3d, opening may have a substantiallyoval-shaped configuration so as to allow the barrier plate 17 to bemoved from, for example, a centrally located position (for even flows)to either the left or right-hand extreme ends to occupy the positions17a or 1712, for example, allowing the user to preadjust the desiredflow. It will be appreciated, however, that all the embodiments of FIG-URE 3 will also produce the intertwined effect as the nozzle assembly 10is rotated.

In cases where it may be desired to admix more than two substances froma single dispenser assembly, any of the container arrangements shown inFIGURES 4a4d may be employed. As shown in FIGURE 4a, the container 22may be provided with partitions 70 and 71 to provide three separatecompartments. In a like manner, the partitions 71 may be extended asshown at 71 to provide four separate compartments. The container 22 ofFIGURE 4b may be provided with the partitions 72-74 to provide threeseparate compartments of substantially equal volume. As shown in FIGURE40, a three compartment container assembly is comprised of an innercontainer '75 having a partition 76, an outer container 22 concentricwith the inner container provides a third compartment for storing asubstance either under pressure or in a squeeze tube arrangement as waspreviously described. The embodiment of FIGURE 40 may be slight- 1ymodified in the manner shown in FIGURE 4d wherein the outer container 22is provided with partitions 77 and 78 to divide the region defined bycontainer 22 and container 75 into two compartments of substantiallyequal volume. Container 75 is provided with partition 76 for dividingcontainer 75 into two compartments of substantially equal volume.

In the case where three compartments are provided in the arrangement ofFIGURE 40 to be employed with the disc assemblies of FIGURE 20, thediscs may be modified in the manner shown in FIGURE 4e so as to beprovided with two arcuate slots 80 and 81 in disc 79 and a semicircularaperture 82 each of which is designed to cooperate with the threecompartments provided in the embodiment of FIGURE 4c. Similar discarrangements may be provided to be employed with the othercompartr'nentalized container arrangements of FIGURES 4a, 4b and 4d. Asshown in FIGURE 5 the rotatable nozzle assembly 11 may be provided witha plurality of grooves 112 to provide a substantially scallopedconfiguration for altering the shape of the emitting substances tofurther enhance its decorative value. This nozzle, as well as nozzles ofother configurations, may be made removable and interchangeable withother nozzles to permit more aesthetic effects by varying the externalsurface of the intertwined stripes.

While it has not been shown, a cap may be used to close olT the top ofthe nozzle for sanitary reasons. This cap, however, is not necessary toprevent the substances in the container from coming out since adequatesealing means is provided by the valves.

As shown in the embodiment of FIGURE 1a, the rotating interior tubes 15and 16 and disc 14 are designed to be concealed within the exteriornozzle 11. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the nozzleassembly of FIGURE 2a, the entire nozzle assembly is exposed and may beseen to rotate as the invention is used. However, if desired, anexterior concentric, stationary housing may be secured to the container22 so as to conceal the rotating nozzle.

The embodiments of FIGURES S and 9 accomplish the same results as theembodiments of FIGURES 1a and 2a without the necessity of a lowerchamber in the rotatable nozzle itself. Since FIGURES 8 and 9 are verysimilar to FIGURES la and 2a which have been described, only thedistinguishing features of the embodiments of FIGURES 8 and 9 will begiven. Corresponding elements of the figures will be correspondinglynumbered.

Referring to a somewhat schematic FIGURE 8, a rotatable nozzle 11 isprovided with a barrier 17 defining two compartments in the nozzle forseparating the fluids. The nozzle 11 is provided with a bafile orconvoluted blade 11c on its interior surface in one compartment and witha baffle or blade 17a on the barrier 17 in the second compartment of thenozzle. The blades are oriented so that passage of fluids through thenozzle 11 from compartments 21 and 22 tends to rotate the nozzle 11. Thenozzle 8.1m this embodiment, a pair of intermediate concentric cylinders47a and 47b and a disc 41 are provided to adapt the nozzle 11 to acontainer having compartments as shown. In this embodiment the disc 41is rigidly connected to container 22 and the disc 47 is rigidlyconnected to nozzle 11. The cylinders 47a and 47b form one unit joinedby struts 470 which unit is secured on disc 41. The end 10 of cylinder47a which is not rigidly connected to disc 41 is'rotatably mounted tonozzle 11 in the same manner as shown in FIGURE 2b to permit rotation ofthe nozzle 11 as the substances are ejected.

It .will be further appreciated that the volumes defined within theconcentric cylinders 47a and 47b further function as intermediatestorage areas between the storage container 22 and nozzle 11 so as toassure a continuous flow of substances at all times that the inventionis in use. Such intermediate storage means can be used not only with theembodiments of FIGURES 8 and 9, but also withthe embodiment of FIGURES1a and 2a, as well as with many other containers which could be used inthe practice of the instant invention.

It can be seen from the foregoing that the instant invention provides anovel dispenser assembly for dispensing dissimilar substances orsubstances of contrasting colors and flavors so as to create anaesthetically appealing emission for dessert toppings and the like, or,alternatively, so as to produce a substantially homogeneous mixture oftwo or more substances either of which results are produced by means ofa rotating emitting nozzle assembly which is caused to revolve as aresult of the emission of the substances contained within associatedstorage containers arranged within the dispenser assembly.

Some further advantages of the instant invention are, it is inexpensiveand simple to manufacture. It can be used with different consistenciesof material, relatively clog-free and non-smearing. The nozzles may havedifferent shaped heads which may be placed on consumer itemsindividually or may be sold in sets directly to the consumer for use ona variety of containers.

Although there has been described a preferred embodiment of this novelinvention, many variations and modifications will now be apparent tothose skilled in the art. For instance, the particular valve structuresshown may be modified and replaced by many suitable valve structureswell known in the prior art. Similarly, the nozzle assembly 10 of FIGURE20 can be used with the storage container of FIGURE 1b, and vice versa.Furthermore, the compartmentalized containers shown may be replaced bymany other types of containers with diflerent arrangements of thecompartments, such as containers having compartments defined byhorizontal partitions rather than vertical, as shown. It will also beobvious that numerous means for ejecting the fluids may be used such asaerosol cans, collapsible tubes, and piston guns. In addition, thenozzle may be used with either disposable or refillable storagecompartment containers. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that thebasic concept of rotating the nozzle may be achieved by means other thanthose disclosed in the above description. For instance, one cancompletely eliminate the need for bafile means of any type, in theembodiment of FIGURE 2a, by simply directing the ends of tubes 15 and 16in opposite directions to achieve the thrust discussed with respect toFIGURE 1a. Alternatively, the ends of tubes 15 and 16 might be directedto strike the opposite side of the barrier 17 at points 011? the centerline of the barrier so as to spin the nozzle. Alternatively, the nozzlewalls themselves, in the embodiment of FIGURES 2a, 8, and 9 might be soshaped to cause rotation of the nozzle when struck by the emitedsubstances.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege orproperty is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Means for dispensing a plurality of substances to substantially forma single intertwined stream emitted from the outlet port comprising:

a storage container having at least first and second compartmentstherein;

nozzle means rotatably secured to said storage container, said nozzlemeans including first and second dispensing regions rotatable with saidnozzle means; means for elfecting rotation of said nozzle means duringthe dispensing of substances from said storage container; and flowdistributing means interposed between said storage container and saidnozzle means for continuously distributing substances flowing out of thefirst and second compartments of said storage container into anassociated one of the dispensing areas of said nozzle means while saidnozzle means is rotating. 2. The dispensing means of claim 1, whereinthe first and second compartments of said storage container includefirst and second openings, respectively, through which substances storedin said compartments may flow; and said flow distributing meansincludes:

barrier means secured to the interior of said nozzel means to definesaid first and second dispensing regions on opposite sides of saidbarrier means; and

first and second fiow paths communicating with said first and secOndopenings, and said first and second dispensing areas, respectively, fordirecting substances in said first and second compartments to said firstand second dispensing regions.

3. The dispensing means of claim 2, wherein said first flow pathincludes first conduit means rotatably communicating with said firstopening at one end thereof; said first dispensing area including surfacemeans oriented in a predetermined relationship with respect to a secondend of said first conduit means so as to effectuate rotation of saidnozzle means when said surface means is struck by substances emittedfrom the second end of said conduit means; said first conduit means andsaid surface means cooperating to define said means for effectingrotation of said nozzle.

4. The dispensing means of claim 3, and further including:

intermediate container means interposed between said first opening andsaid first conduit means, a first end of said intermediate containermeans communicating with said first opening, a second end of saidintermediate container means having an aperture therein;

support means secured on the interior of said nozzle means;

said first end of said conduit means rotatably communicating with saidaperture in said intermediate container means;

said surface means of said first dispensing area comprising bafiie meanssecured therein;

said second end of said first conduit means passing through and beingsupported by said support means and being directed at said bafiie means.

5. The dispensing means of claim 4, wherein said second flow pathincludes:

the internal volume defined by said support means and storage containerat first and second ends, respectively, and between said intermediatecontainer means and the interior surface of said nozzle means along itssides; and

a second conduit means secured in an opening of said support means atone end thereof and directed at batHe means of said second dispensingarea at its other end thereof.

6. The dispensing means of claim 4, and further including valve meansinterposed between said first and second compartments and said first andsecond dispensing regions for selectively dispensing the flow ofsubstances from said first and second compartments.

7. The dispensing means of claim 2, wherein said first and secondopenings are in side-by-side relationship,

and said flow distributing means includes conversion means for changinga side-by-side flow of substances emitted from said first and secondopenings into a concentric flow of the same substances.

8. The dispensing means of claim 7, wherein said conversion meansincludes at least one plate having a substantially semicircular shapedaperture communicating with said first opening, and a substantiallysemicircular shaped annular slot communicating with said second opening.

a. The dispensing means of claim 1, wherein said nozzle means includesbarrier means therein defining said first and second dispensing regions;andthe means for effecting rotation of said nozzle means includespredetermined surface means located in at least one of said first andsecond dispensing regions and positioned so as to effect rotation ofsaid nozzle means when struck by a substance flowing through said one ofsaid first and second dispensing areas.

10. The dispensing means of claim 9, wherein said surface means of saidone of said dispensing areas comprises a bafile plate secured on the oneside of said barrier means, and further including a second bafile platein the other of said dispensing regions secured on the interior surfaceof said nozzle means.

11. The dispensing means of claim 9, wherein said flow distributingmeans includes at least one plate secured to said nozzle and rotatabletherewith, said plate having a substantially semicircular shapedaperture communicating with said first dispensing region and one of saidfirst and second compartments, and a substantially semicircular shapedannular slot communicating with said second dispensing area and theother of said first and second compartments.

12. The dispensing means of claim 11, wherein the first and secondcompartments of said storage container include concentric first andsecond openings; the semicircular shaped aperture in said platecommunicating with the inner of said concentric openings, thesemicircular shaped annular slot of said plate communicating withtheouter of said concentric openings.

13. A dispensing means of claim 12, and further including valve meansinterposed between said first and second compartments and said first andsecond dispensing regions for selectively regulating the flow ofsubstances from said first and second compartments.

14. The dispensing means of claim 11. wherein said first and secondcompartments include first and second openings in side-by-siderelationship and said flow distributing means further includesconversion means for changing a side-by-side flow of substances emittedfrom said first and second openings into a concentric flow the samesubstances,

15. The dispensing means of claim 14, wherein said conversion meansinclude a second plate secured to said storage container, said secondplate including a semicircular shaped aperture communicating with saidfirst opening and a semicircular shaped annular slot communicating withsaid second opening;

and an intermediate spacer secured to said second plate,

said spacer including a pair of concentric passageways, a first one ofsaid pair of passageways communicating with said semicircular aperturesin said first and second plates, the second one of said passagewayscommunicating with the semicircular annular slots in said first andsecond plates.

16. Means for dispensing a plurality of substances to substantially forma single stream emitted from the outlet port comprising:

a storage container having at least first and second compartmentstherein; nozzle means secured to said container; disc means rotatablysecured within said nozzle means; first tubular conduit means rotatablycommunicating with said first compartment at one end thereof and passingthrough said disc means and pointed in a first predetermined directionat its other end thereof;

second tubular conduit means' secured in said disc means andcommunicating with said second compartment at one end and pointed in adirection opposite said first predetermined direction at its second a 1314 whereby thrust developed by the emission of substances ReferencesCited from the second ends of said first and second con- I P duit meanswill be additive to efiect rotation of said UN TED T T ATENTS disc meansWithin said nozzle means. 2,463,112 3/1949 Klpms- 17. The dispensingmeans of claim 16, and further 3,014,437 12/1961 Dutchessincludingbarrier means secured to said disc means and 5 3347387 10/1967 rotatabletherewith, said barrier means located between the second ends of saidfirst and second conduit means so STANLEY TOLLBERG Pnmary Exammer as toproduce an intertwined efiect at the outlet of said Us Cl XR nozzlemeans upon rotation of said disc means. 107 52

